Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-08-26

technics this evening will present bril-
liant spectacle. Quite large party will
90 from Burlington on the Mariquita to-
night to witness the parade and fire
works.
The progress of the Amer lean Canoe
association has been very rapid as a glance
at its history will show. In response to a
call general convention of cauoeists was
held at Caldwell at the head of Lake
George, August So 1850, for the purpose
of effecting an organization to include all
clubs in the United States and Canada rs
branches. The meeting was held at
Crosby Side Park and an organization
Commodore, w. l.. Alden Of the New
York Canoe club; vice-commodore,
Nicholas Longworth of the Cincinnati
Canoe club rear commodore, X. ID. Wynn
kOop of the Jersey City Canoe club; sec
rotary, NJ. IL. Bishop of the Lake George
Boston. The New York club, under
whose auspices the first and last regatta
open TO members only was held, was the
first club to join the association in body.
During the days which followed were held
the races of the first meet.
The convention was held at the same
place in 1881, but the meet of 1882 while
very successful demonstrated that the
upper end of Lake George was not the
best possible place for general canoe
meet, the number of canoests making
camping on Lorna island uncomfortable
Another objection was the fact that the
variable winds of Lake George made good
sailing impossible. Whe place selected was
stony lake near Peterborough, p. O.,
where a successful meet was held. The
site selected for the meet of 1884 was the
northern point of Grindstone island on Eel
bay in the st. Lawrence river and about
four miles from Clayton, y. Y. The meet
ing took place earlier than usual at that
time, being held about the middle of Au-
gust, but the advantages of an early date
| were so apparent that the precedent then
established has been followed since that
time. The meet was largely attended, over
200 being in camp at one time, and the pro-
gramme for the races contained II events.
The day before breaking camp r. 5. Oliver
Of Albany, n Y, was elected commodore
for lSS4-5, and +. S. Rathbon of Deseron-
to, Canada, vice-commodore. The meets
of 1885 and 1856 were also held at Grind
stone island, which was found to be very
desirable site. During 1885 the formation
OF the Western Canoe association was &C
complished and meet was held at Bal
last island in Lake Erie, and in July, 1856
their second meet was held at the same
point. The A. G. A. includes the eastern
northern and central divisions. In lSS'
| lne New L Ork canoe cluD decided TO O1Itl
a valuable cup as prize for an inter
national race. A challenge was issued
among Others, by W. Bodeu-Powell of tn,
canoe Nautilus and Walter Stewart of tn,
canoe Pearl, both of the Royal Canoe ciul
of London. The Nautilus won the frs
race, but the Lassie won the next two anC
retained the cup. The Pecowsic won boti
of the class b races against 10 rivals, ant
the ~ miles trophy race was won b,
the Nespers against II competitors
The three mile padding and sailing rae,
with II contestants was won by the Lassi
while the Peggy won the A. class. Tn
two English canoes failed to get goo,
places in any of the races. During tn
past year large number cf canoes of i'm
proved design ana rigging have beef
Quilt and the races in addition to bein!
exciting will have increased interest TO
canoeists from the fact that the merits o
new designs us compared with the oil
will be thoroughly tested.